Abstract
We describe a new species of Imantodes from the Chocó region of northwestern Ecuador. The new species differs most significantly from all other congeners in lacking a loreal scale. We analyze the phylogenetic relationships among species of Imantodes based on two mitochondrial genes, and postulate that the new species and Imantodes lentiferus are sister taxa. A key to the species of Imantodes from Ecuador is presented.
Highlights
The New World colubrid snake clade Dipsadinae Bonaparte 1838 includes more than 400 extant species assigned to approximately 25 taxa traditionally ranked as genera (Daza et al 2009; Zaher et al 2009)
In this paper we describe a new species of Imantodes from northwestern Ecuador and infer its phylogenetic affinities to other species in the genus as currently circumscribed
The taxonomic conclusions of this study are based on the observation of morphological features and color patterns, as well as inferred phylogenetic relationships
Summary
The New World colubrid snake clade Dipsadinae Bonaparte 1838 includes more than 400 extant species assigned to approximately 25 taxa traditionally ranked as genera (Daza et al 2009; Zaher et al 2009). Thin body, disproportionately slender neck, and blunt head, makes easy to distinguish Imantodes from all other New World snakes. This genus includes six currently recognized species (I. cenchoa, I. gemmistratus, I. inornatus, I. lentiferus, I. phantasma, and I. tenuissimus) commonly known as blunt-headed vine snakes, occurring from Mexico to Argentina (Myers 1982). Studies on phylogenetic relationships and species limits among dipsadines are scarce.
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